When may search committees begin looking at applications?

Search committees may begin looking at applications on the date listed in the job announcement. For example, "Review of applications will begin on October 3, 2018, and will continue until the position is filled." The committee must continue to review all applications and give them full consideration until the position is filled. If you put in the advertisement that, "review of applications will begin immediately," you can start reviewing applications from the time they start coming in.